Device for automatically opening or closing switches.



Pati n-ted Dec. 23, I902 J.-T. RICE. ounce ma AUTOMATICALLY orsmna on CLOSiNG swncassr iApplication'filed July 19, 1902.:

(No Model.)

y gmvevvfoz unk luau NITEI) STATES JESSE T. RICE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T0 HIMSELF, JOHN J. LUDWICK, AND CHARLES F. BAGON.

' DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPENING OR CLOSlNG SWITCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 716,758, dated December 23, 1902. Application filedfl'uly 19, 1902. Serial No. 116,263. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JESSE T. RICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Automatically Opening or Closing Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and novel device for automatically opening and closing a switch or switches in a street-car track; and the invention consists in the use of a wheel supported by the moving car in such a manner as to turn the switch track or section in position to open or close the Switch at the will of the operator.

It also consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described for operating the said wheel.

The objects of my invention are, first, to enable the operator to open or close the switch from the moving car; second, to lessen the expense of running ordinary street-cars. These objects I accomplish by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a portion of the front end of the car with a front elevation of my preferred device for opening and closing the switches and showing at the right the wheel in position to open the switch, while the wheel at the left is shown riding on the surface of the stationary track. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the wheel, on an enlarged scale, and its connection to the yoke which supports it. Fig. 3 shows a modified form of track and switch rail. 1

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the wheel, which is used in turningthe movable switch. It is beveled or wedge-shaped, as shown in Fig. 1. This bevel may be V-shaped in cross-section or the bevel may be of any other form, so as to leave a central edge, adapted to pass between the stationary rail and the movable switch-rail.

connecting-rod Y and two yokes supporting the shorter and the longer rods.

E E show the yoke-supports. Each yoke may be formed integral with the push bar or rod F. The rod F is pivoted to a lever L. The lever L is pivoted at one end to another push-rod M and at the other end to the framework H at the point W.

N and N represent foot-pieces on the upper end of the push-rods M.

0 represents a portion of the frame of the car to which the device is attached and which supports the operating mechanism. 'The framework H is supported by the frame 0.

U represents collars on the wheels A.

'1 represents a bearing-collar supported by the frame H, through which the push-rods F pass, the bearing-collars I forming guides, as well as bearings, for the rods F.

G represents springs connecting the lovers L to the frame 0, which springs are adapted to return the lever and parts connected to normal position after the pressure has been relieved from the foot-piece N.

In the example of my invention shown in Fig. 1 I have shown two wheels, which I deem necessary in most cases; but in case the track is provided with switches only in one direction a single Wheel would answer the purpose. In order to utilize either wheel for opening or closing the switch, I mount said wheels on the rods B B and Y, above described, and support the said rod Y at the middle with a lever B, theleverR being pivotally attached to the rod Y at its center, as shown by X, and passing through an opening in the framework H at the point Q. The upper end of the lever is provided with a handpieceR and also with a spring-catch operated .by'theilever S, which engages with the ratchet P; By these means the rod Y and the rods B B and the wheels A may be shifted transversely of the at the right end of Fig. 1.

track -section in either direction, so as to bring either wheel A into operation for opening or closing the switch.

D represents the stationary tracks.

represents the movable switch-section, and 0 represents the stationary curved switchsection.

In operation the wheels AA are shifted by means of the lever R and locked in position to bring the edge of the wheel which is to shift the switch between the stationary track and the movable-switch track-section, as shown The foot is then placed upon the foot-piece N,pressin g the said beveled wheel downward,so that it presses the wheel between the stationary track and the movable section, thereby opening the switch in advance of the car. As soon as the foot is raised the wheel and its connecting parts assume their normal position. In order that the wheels may strike the track more perfectly,

, I connect the short rods B and B to the longer central rod Y by knuckle-joints. Fig. 1 by 'l and T.)

In Fig. 3 I have shown the movable switchsection of the track by J and have shown a portion cut out at K, while I have shown the stationary section of the track by .V and a portion cut out by K. In case it should be found that the wheelsAwill not engage readily enough with the opening between the switch-section and the stationary section this groove shape may be used.

I have described my preferred form of device; but it will be evident that changes, variations, or modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and I therefore do not wish to restrict myself to the details of construction hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings, but reserve the right to make such changes,variations,and modifications as come properly within the scope of the protection prayed,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to have invented, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. Inaswitch-tongue-operating mechanism, a wheel adapted to engage the switch-tongue for moving it, a journal for supporting the said wheel, a rod, a knuckle-joint between the said rod and journal, vertically-movable (Shown in means for supporting the said journal, said vertically-movable means adapted to be carried by a car-body, and a lever connected with said rod for shifting the same and said wheel transversely of a track-section.

2. In a switch-tongue-operating mechanism, the combination with the car-body, of a frame supported thereby, a pair of rods extending vertically through the bottom of said frame, a lever pivoted to the inner face of each of the said walls of said frame, said levers also pivoted to the top of said rods, a pair of springs connected to the car-body and to the said levers, a push-rod connected to the free end of each of said levers, a yoke integral with the lower end of each of said rods, a journal carried by each of said yokes, aswitch-tonguemoving wheel carried by each of said journals, a rod inwardly jointed at each end of the said journals, a vertically-extending lever pivotally connected at its lower end to the last-mentioned rod, said lever extending vertically through the said frame and the bottom of the car-body, and means for affixing the said vertically-extending lever in its adjusted position.

3. In aswitch-tongue-operating mechanism, a vertically-movable rod, a journal capable of sidewise adj ustment carried by said rod, a wheel carried by the journal, mechanism connected with the top of said rod for vertically moving it, and mechanism connected with the said journal and adapted when operated to impart to the said journal a sidewise adjustment.

4. In a switch-tongue-operating mechanism, means adapted to engage a switch-tongue for moving it, a spring-return mechanism carrying the said means and adapted to lower the said means to operative position when pressure is applied to said mechanism and when pressure is released to return the said means to inoperative position, and mechanism connected with said means for shifting it transversely of a track-section.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JESSE T. RICE.

Witnesses:

A. O. DENISON, EDWARD TAGGART. 

